Letter: Respect orders given to firefighters

When a 50,000 to 100,000 volt of live electrical line is sliced and hanging from the trees or lying on the wet road like spaghetti, it is dangerous to all who pass. Having rubber tires on your vehicle is not enough to prevent electrical shock. As a fireman controlling traffic, my command from the chief states, “No one can get through” until the word is given from command. Please consider; emergency personnel are present to protect and provide safety for all.

I cannot accept a waiver to let you through so please do not ask. I cannot let you pass the security barrier to take photo’s on your cell or to have special privileges so that you can pass drive through or pass me, thereby undermine the order(s) I have been given.

If an electrical current arcs or conducts through the micro-filaments of metal in your tire to the chassis, through your vehicle to you and your children on the back seat, then you are zapped, fried, sizzled, burned, electrocuted, hurt, or worse…

As a firefighter, I am trained in safety around electrical wires. I am standing 150’ away from the wire for these reasons. All personnel working on the wire are at risk until the transformer has been switched and turned off. This takes time. I know we all have to get to work, school, or race home to watch “Jerry Springer,” but please do not risk the lives of yourself, your children or fellow citizens because you are more important. More important than the other 40 plus drivers and passengers waiting to pass, who are grateful for a crew of trained fire and hydro personnel protecting and preventing possible tragedy.

Rethink this one, please. Volunteer fire personnel are doing their jobs not for any other reason than that they choose to serve and protect. They do not get paid. They volunteer. The RCMP states clearly that if any fire or ambulance crews receive any road rage of flack, to take down your license plate number and contact the RCMP. Impounding your vehicle and pleading your case in a court of law would definitely make your day more exciting than a live electrical wire on the road with a tree blocking the way.

Please drive safe and remember to thank your local volunteer or paid firefighters, for we are trained to save your life and property.